Pipestem McKeever to Heritage Point and Canyon Rim

Pipestem McKeever to Heritage Point and Canyon Rim is a 4.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Pipestem, West Virginia that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.

DISTANCE

4.2 miles

ELEVATION GAIN

587 feet

ROUTE TYPE

Out & Back

dog friendly

birding

hiking

horseback riding

mountain biking

nature trips

walking

forest

views

wild flowers

Pleasant hike through wild-life rich forest, cliff views, strenous climb to Tram
This hike will take you from McKeever Lodge to the Canyon Rim Center where you can enjoy an incredible tram ride to the bottom of the canyon. Along the way you will visit Heritage Point, with an awesome view of the canyon was well as the Mountain Creek lodge and the Bluestone River below.
You will start on the River Trail (which will optionally lead you all the way to the bottom of the Canyon though a river crossing is required) near McKeever Lodge. This is a nice, wide trail, though due to heavy horse traffic it can be quite muddy during rainy seasons.
At the intersection with Canyon Rim Trail, head right to descend to Heritage Point, the view is well worth the climb back out. Back to Canyon Rim Center you can take a break, have a snak, and do some gift shopping. Then be sure to enjoy the Tram ride to the canyon bottom for even more trail exploration on the lower River Trail or Farley Loop trail.

so it was March 24th, but lo and behold we had snow and lots of it! That had its own treat. I love hitting trails in all seasons. For example you could hear the river below but you couldn't even see it. I found the trail a little confusing, ended up looping twice, it was good exercise. Wear good shoes, there's a lot of tree roots and rock, but if you're into it it's great!

I stayed on the River Trail not realizing I was supposed to turn onto the Canyon Rim Trail which takes you to the Heritage Point. Still, this was a fantastic hike. I saw one other person the entire time I was on the trail. There is ample parking near the trail head.